Connecticut's top court upholds ban on death penalty in state
Source: Reuters
Connecticut's top court upholds ban on death penalty in state
By Scott Malone
May 26, 2016
(Reuters) - Connecticut's top court on Thursday upheld its ban on executions in the state in a decision that will spare the lives of 11 death row inmates.
The 5-2 decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court follows a 2012 law that banned the imposition of death sentences on newly committed crimes but allowed the state to proceed with the executions of inmates who had already been sentenced to die. The court in August ruled that exception was unconstitutional, amounting to a cruel and unusual punishment.
State prosecutors challenged the ruling, arguing that the court had overstepped its authority by rejecting an exception allowed by the legislature.
The five justices said in a brief, two-paragraph opinion, that there was no reason to reverse their earlier decision. In a supporting opinion, Justice Richard Palmer cited concerns that the capital sentences are more likely to be handed down against black defendants.
Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/connecticuts-top-court-upholds-ban-death-penalty-state-185444980--finance.html?nhp=1
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